Fourth former South Yorkshire Police officer arrested over alleged abuse in Rotherham
The Independent Office for Police Conduct says its investigation has 'widened' after more victims came forward.
Last updated 11th Aug 2026
A fourth former South Yorkshire Police officer has been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into historic child sexual abuse in Rotherham.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct says its investigation has 'widened' after more victims came forward.
It comes after claims from women who were exploited by grooming gangs in the town in the 1990s and 2000s also made allegations about members of police staff.
An IOPC spokesperson said: “The criminal investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse and exploitation by former South Yorkshire Police (SYP) officers remains ongoing."
"The investigation is being carried out by officers from Operation Stovewood - the National Crime Agency’s enquiry into allegations of non-recent sexual abuse in Rotherham - under the IOPC’s direction.
“The investigation has widened to include additional matters – referred to us this year by SYP – relating to four more victim-survivors.
"These matters relate to non-recent reports of child sex abuse offences by former SYP officers.
“As a result of further evidence recently identified during the investigation, a former SYP officer – aged in his 60s – was arrested in June by officers from the NCA on suspicion of non-recent child sexual abuse offences."
"He was taken into custody and later released on conditional bail, pending further investigation.”
Three other officers, aged in their 50s and 60s, were previously questioned in the case and bailed.